REQUIREMENTS FOR EXAMINATION

The examination system in Aikido is not structured upon competition.
You will be examined on the following points:

  • Your understanding of basic technique appropriate for your level.
  • Your spontaneous application of technique.
  • Your ability to adapt your movement to the force of the attack.
  • The concentration and awareness you maintain throughout the examination.
  • Continuity of movement is important, not speed.
  • Confidence and courage are important, not ego.
  • Be prepared to uke for someone else of your same level during the examination. You will be graded on your ukemi.

    • A technique should be demonstrated continuously both right and left until there is a signal to stop. Both irimi and tenkan movement should be shown whenever applicable. You will be expected to know and respond to the Japanese terms. It is necessary to have completed the required hours of training (no matter how many hours you practice in one day, one days training is one hour in computing time requirements for testing) and it is necessary that the waiting period (number of months) between each examination has expired before making application.

    The following is a general guideline to the techniques to be demonstrated for each rank. This is a guide only for techniques may be added or dropped at the discretion of the Master Instructor.

    Time and Technique Requirements for Kyu Promotion

    Rokyu (30 hours/3 months)

  • Tenkan
  • Shomenuchi ikkyo and iriminage
  • Munetsuki kotegaeshi
  • Katate dori shihonage
  • Yokomenuchi shihonage
  • Kokyu tanden ho

    • Gokyu (60 hours/4 months)

  • All previous techniques plus:
  • shomenuchi nikyo
  • Kata dori ikkyu and nikyo
  • Munetsuki kaitennage

    • Yonkyu (60 hours/4 months)

  • All previous techniques plus:
  • Shomenuchi sankyu and Yonkyu
  • Yokomenuchi ikkyo, Kotegaeshi and iriminage
  • Ryote dori tenchinage and shihonage
  • Katate dori ryote mochi kokyu tenden ho

    Sankyu (70 hours/4 months)

  • All previous techniques plus:
  • Ushiro ryokata dori ikkyo
  • Ushiro ryote dori shihonage
  • Ushiro kubi shime kotegaeshi
  • Ushiro waza kokyunage

    Nikyu (80 hours/6 months)

  • All previous techniques plus:
  • Yokomenuchi nikyo, sankyo and yonkyo
  • Koshinage from shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, katate dori and munetsuki
  • Hanmi handachi Katate dori shihonage
  • Hanmi handachi Ryote dori shihonage
  • Suwariwaza shomenuchi ikkyo
  • Suwariwaza kata dori ikkyo
  • Suwariwaza yokomenuchi ikkyo

    Ikkyu (90 hours/6 months)

  • All previous techniques plus:
  • Jiyu waza standing
  • Jiyu waza Hanmi handachi
  • Jiyu waza suwariwaza
  • Tanto dori munetsuki
  • Tanto dori Shomenuchi
  • Tanto dori Yokomenuchi


    • Any student applying for kyu promotion must be an ASU member in good standing. It is necessary to have completed the required hours of training (no matter how many hours you practice in one day, one day's training only counts as one hour) and it is necessary that the waiting period (number of months) between each examination has expired before applying.


    The fee for a kyu certificate is $35.00 for each kyu grade.

    Shodan Promotional Procedure

    Examinations will be held at a winter or summer intensive Training Camp or in an approved regional dojo under the direction of at least two qualified examiners responsible for the region
    A candidate must have attended at least two seminars with Saotome Shihan and/or Ikeda Shihan since attaining ikkyu grade. During the seminar it is the responsibility of the regional instructor to inform the Shihan so that he may observe the candidate more closely.
    Regional examinations will not be scheduled more than once a year.
    Nidan Promotional Procedure
    Examinations will be held at a winter or Summer Intensive Training Camp or at a regional seminar in the presence of Saotome Shihan and/or Ikeda Shihan.
    A candidate must have attended at least one winter or Summer Intensive Training Camp since attaining shodan rank and within one year of the scheduled examination date. It is the responsibility of the regional instructor to inform the Shihan at that camp so that he may observe the candidate more closely.
    The application form for all yudansha ranks must be submitted to ASU well in advance of the examination to validate qualifications.

    Time and Technique Requirements for Dan Promotion

    Shodan (120 hours and 12 months after receiving ikkyu)
    All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:

  • Kumi Tachi: first five basic kata.
  • Tanto dori: a different technique from each -
  • shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki, Ushiro two different techniques
  • Tachi dori: a total of 5 different techniques Attacks will be shomenuchi, yokomenuchi and tsuki.
  • Randori 3 people attacking.

    Nidan (minimum of 30 months and approx. 400 hours of consistent training after receiving shodan.)
    All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:

  • Kumi tachi: first twelve basic kata
  • Kumi jo: first six basic kata
  • Randori: three people attacking with shinai.

    Sandan (Minimum of 3 years of consistent training after receiving nidan.)
    All basic techniques performed to demonstrate the student's understanding of the principles of kokyu tanden ho, and all previous requirements.

    Yondan only by recommendation at the discretion of Saotome Shihan or Ikeda Shihan.

    True Budo is a work of love. It is a work of giving life to all beings, and not killing or struggling with each other.
    Master Morihei Ueshiba